By Ray King
By a vote of 5-3, the Pine Bluff City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance amending a previous ordinance dealing with money that was being set aside to pay for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the hotel that will be built adjacent to the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The original ordinance was approved July 1 and called for a $3 million promissory note to be issued under an Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that allows issuing notes for property that has an expected life of more than one year.
The amended ordinance was done to authorize certain closing actions and procedures desired by Farmers State Bank of Alto Pass, an Illinois bank that is handing the financing for the hotel by a grant from the U.S.D.A. It had been scheduled for only a first reading, but council members voted to suspend the rules and read the ordinance three times. This action does not change the amount of money of the note.
Council Members Bruce Lockett and Steven Mays cast no votes and Council Member Glen Brown Sr. voted present. Council Members Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Glen Brown Jr., Steven Shaner, LaTisha Brunson and Lanette Frazier voted yes.
After the meeting, Lockett explained his opposition to the legislation.
The rules were also suspended so that ordinances authorizing the city to enter into lease agreements to purchase a backhoe loader and wheeled excavator for the Street Department that had been up for a second reading were both approved after a third reading.
The backhoe loader will cost $129,070 while the wheeled excavator will cost $277,400. Both pieces of equipment will be leased for five years and the city will make annual payments.
Also approved was a request from Code Enforcement for $100,000 which Mayor Shirley Washington said will be used for lot clearing work. The mayor said an emphasis is being placed on cutting overgrown lots in the city.
Another budget adjustment from the Fire Department will transfer $300,000 in funds that had been set aside for salaries to overtime pay.
